Reflections on Life - China Academy of Painting (2005) Character Painting Advanced Class Works Collection

Author: Liu Dawei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: In the history of Chinese painting, figure painting is one of the oldest genres, with historical records dating back to the Neolithic era. In the Yangshao culture's painted pottery, figures and patterns have been found. As a traditional subject in Chinese painting, figure painting has played a significant role in the long history of Chinese art. On one hand, it fulfilled the social function of moral education in feudal society, and on the other hand, it reflected the aesthetic tastes of traditional Chinese painting, embodying Chinese culture. The development of figure painting is the history of shaping figures in different eras. Compared to other genres, figure painting has the unique ability to express its time. Figure painting is an artistic creation centered on the theme of "humanity," and therefore it should more accurately reflect people and embody the spirit of the era. This is the unchanging mission and responsibility of figure painting. Focusing on reality, the fate and survival of people, and drawing inspiration and passion from them, are the main ways of contemporary figure painting creation. At the same time, expressing people's pursuit of ideals and a healthy, optimistic aesthetic taste in works reflects the spirit of the times in Chinese painting. The pursuit of unity between form and content, as well as between material and spirit in works, is the era's significance pursued by contemporary figure painting.